Community digest

Tyler McGuire of Boy Scout Troop 444 is organizing a used flag collection. Old, worn flags can be placed in specially marked collection boxes located at Mountain Fresh in Hunlock Creek, Dallas Agway, and Thomas' Market in Dallas. Flags will be respectfully retired at a special ceremony on Flag Day, June 14. Flags will be collected through the end of May.

The 64th annual Interfaith Tea will be hosted by Temple Israel Sisterhood at 1:30 p.m. May 7 at Temple Israel, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Theme is Jerusalem and a panel of local clergy will discuss their recent visit to Israel. A highlight of the program will be musical presentations by Cantor Abraham, Rabbi Kaplan and Reverend Zanicky. Members of the Church Women United of Wyoming Valley, Sisterhoods of Temple B'nai B'rith and Temple Israel, Northeast Luzerne and West Luzerne Districts of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Baha'i Community will participate in the afternoon program. Members are asked to bring lap robes which will be donated to area nursing homes.

Big Brothers of The Bridge will host a 'Walk For Kids' Sake' fundraiser at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, starting at the Martz Pavilion in Kirby Park. Participants are asked to make a $20 donation. ($10 for children 12 and under.) All walkers will receive a 'Walk For Kids' Sake' T-shirt.

Local members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) union are partnering with the U.S. Postal Service, United Way of Wyoming Valley, Commission on Economic Opportunity and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council (AFL-CIO) to conduct the 21st annual National Association of Letter Carriers' Food Drive on Saturday, May 11. The local drive is part of the largest one day food drive to combat hunger in America. Letter carriers throughout the Greater Wyoming Valley area represented by NALC Branch 115 in Wilkes-Barre and Branch 162 in Pittston, will collect food items along their routes to help stamp out hunger. All food collected locally will be delivered to local food banks and pantries. Drive organizers hope to exceed last year's total of more than 70 million pounds of donated food. Since the drive's inception in 1993, more than 1 billion pounds of food has been collected. To participate, residents are asked to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday, May 11. Food items should be in non-breakable containers (no glass), such as boxes and cans. Make certain that none of the food items are expired. Letter carriers will collect the donations as they deliver the mail and take the donations to local food banks and pantries. Volunteers who would like to participate at local food banks should call Walter Klepaski of United Way at 270-9109.

Conrad and Susan Schintz will receive the Salvation Army Others Award on May 16 at the Salvation Army annual community awards dinner at the Best Western Genetti Hotel and Convention Center, 77 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre. The award is presented for exemplifying an extraordinary spirit of service to others while benefitting The Salvation Army and/or the community. Conrad W. Schintz is vice president of community relations for Geisinger Health System and has held numerous positions within the Geisinger system. He is active in many community initiatives and organizations including serving on the advisory board of The Salvation Army in Wilkes-Barre (chairman of the emergency disaster services and chairman of the property committee; St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Catholic Youth Center (CYC) in Wilkes-Barre (board chairman); Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce & Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry (immediate past board chairman); Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross; Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative (past board chairman). He served as The Salvation Army's 2006 and 2007 annual dinner chairman, and along with his wife, Susan, served as co-chair for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters 2008 Annual Bowl for Kids' Sake event.

He most recently chaired a committee by the Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative to have a professional survey of the Community Health Needs Assessment for Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. This report was released to the public in January at the East Mountain Inn. Many organizations including the Northeast not for profit hospitals are formulating plans to address the recommendations made in this report.

This event is being coordinated by The Salvation Army's Awards Committee with the assistance of Pheiff & Some, Inc. Reservations can be made by contacting Lieutenant Sharon Tressler at The Salvation Army: sharon.tressler@use.salvationarmy.org or 570-824-8741.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 231 State St., Nanticoke, will host a chicken barbecue on the church grounds from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18, hosted by St. John's Men's Group. Tickets are $9 and available from any member of the men's organization, at the event, or by calling the church at 735-8531 (leave message for call back). Complete barbecue dinners will also be available for takeout. Visit NanticokeLutheran.org or on Facebook.

The 12th annual Walk for Recovery and Mental Health Fair sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wilkes-Barre Chapter will be held at noon May 19 at the Guard Insurance Group parking lot, River and West Market streets, Wilkes-Barre. The walk to Kirby Park will begin at 12:30 p.m. and conclude at the park where a picnic and mental health fair will be held. Beth Hollinger is director of crisis and case management services, Community Counseling Services, and chairwoman of this year's walk. There will be a cookout and refreshments and Chinese auction. Information on mental health topics will be available. The event is free. For information, call NAMI at 371-3844.

Wyoming Valley Woman's Club will hold a spring fashion show and luncheon at noon May 21 at Appletree Terrace, Newberry Estate, Dallas. Cost is $20. Purchase tickets by calling Eileen Davis at 824-8461. Co-chairwoman is Rebecca Chacko. Fashions from Dress Barn, Catherine's, Amore, The Blue Hydrangia, Humphreys and Arch Comfort will also be modeled. Hair and makeup will be done by Mary Taylor's Hair Salon. The fashion show provides a $1,000 scholarship for a local high school senior. Chairing the fashion show is Carol Carroll. Co- chairwomen are Rosemarie Panzitta and Rebecca Chacko. Joan Hudak is president of the WVWC.

Children's Service Center will present its 12th annual golf tournament June 3 at Huntsville Golf Club, Back Mountain. The tournament is presented by Howell Benefit Services. Proceeds benefit programs for children, adolescents, and families dealing with emotional and behavioral problems. Format is captain and crew and the shotgun start is at 9 a.m. Breakfast and registration begin at 8 a.m. The field will be limited so interested golfers should contact CSC director of development, Liz Hibbard, at 570-825-6425, or lhibbard@e-csc.org.

The planning committee for the 2013 Allied Services Heinz Rehab Annual Autism Classic met recently to plan the 20th annual tournament, which will be held June 10 at Huntsville Golf Club in Lehman. Presenting sponsor is Lexus MotorWorld. Proceeds will be used to treat pediatric patients with diagnoses on the autism spectrum disorder. For information on Allied Services or its services for children with autism, visit AlliedServices.org. For information on the tournament, call 348-1407.

Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross will honor local heroes in Luzerne County who have performed extraordinary, lifesaving acts of kindness and bravery at the fifth annual Heroes Breakfast June 12 at East Mountain Inn and Suites. The event will feature a breakfast, reception and award presentations to individuals who have demonstrated acts of heroism and bravery. Ticket are $25 per person. The American Red Cross needs assistance identifying nominees. Nominations are being accepted for the following categories: fire safety, law enforcement, military, medical, adult good samaritan, youth good samaritan, and animal rescue. Nominees may be individuals or groups and they do not need to be Red Cross volunteers or have Red Cross training. Nominees may be professionally trained or a good samaritan. For a complete list of nomination criteria or to nominate a hero, visit redcross.org/pa/wilkes-barre. Deadline for nominations is May 17. Event sponsorship and program booklet advertising opportunities are available. For information about sponsorships, hero nominations or to reserve a table, contact the Wyoming Valley Chapter at 823-7161 ext. 336 or email: jolene.miraglia@redcross.org. Proceeds benefit American Red Cross programs and services in the Wyoming Valley.

A. Pickett Construction, Kingston, will hold its 19th annual golf classic June 14 at Fox Hill County Club in Exeter. All monies raised will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Last year, $10,400.00 was raised for this cause. Over the past 18 years, A. Pickett Construction has raised more than $206,000.00 for the cause of fighting all forms of cancer. The company thanked all those who help in this cause. Gifts and prizes will be distributed. Refreshments will be provided throughout the afternoon and a buffet dinner will be served in the evening. To participate in this year's event, contact A. Pickett Construction offices at 283-2057.

Members of the Northeastern PA Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network met recently to plan for the second annual PurpleStride 5K run/walk to be held June 15 at Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. To register or for information, go to www.purplestride.org/northeasternpa.

Back Mountain Bloomers Garden Club will hold its sixth biannual 'Tour of Back Mountain Gardens' from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29. Six private gardens, four in Dallas and two at Harveys Lake, and the Shakespeare Garden at Misericordia University, are included on this tour. The selected gardens display a diversity of landscape designs, styles and themes, from the small individually tended garden to an extensive expanse of gardens to the award winning themed knot garden at Misericordia. Garden, nature and landscaping workshops will be offered by some of the area's most recognized master gardeners, professional landscapers and arborists and members of the Wyoming Valley Art League will be painting en plein air in the gardens. All proceeds from the day's events will benefit the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association (ASTA), an organization developing and maintaining the Back Mountain Trail, a former railroad bed that has been transformed into a recreational trail for hiking and biking from Luzerne Borough in the Wyoming Valley to eventually reach Ricketts Glen State Park. To date, the Bloomer's Garden Tours in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011 attracted more than 2,300 people and raised more than $38,000 for ASTA. Tickets for the 'Tour of Back Mountain Gardens' are $20 per person if purchased on or before June 22. The ticket price after June 22 is $25. To request a Garden Tour Brochure and registration form, contact Julie McMonagle at 696-5082 or e-mail her at jjmcmon@frontiernet.net. The completed registration form and payment should then be mailed to Anthracite Scenic Trails Association; P.O. Box 212 Dallas, PA 18612. Tour information is online at www.backmountainbloomers.org.

Dallas Rotary Club, in association with the Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc., will sponsor the Dallas Rotary Wine & Dine Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 29 at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds, Route 118, Dallas. The event will feature wine tasting and specialty foods from the Back Mountain and Endless Mountains areas. A variety of goods will also be on sale by area craftsmen, and there will be musical entertainment throughout the day. The Dallas Rotary Club is an all-volunteer organization. The event will support the club's various charities, including a Christmas shopping spree for less fortunate children, book scholarships for deserving college-bound high school seniors, support of the Back Mountain Food Pantry and the Salvation Army Kettle Drive, and more. On the international level, Rotary supports Rotary International's pledge to end polio around the world. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. Designated drivers will be admitted for a reduced fee of $5 and be given special identification. To participate as a wine, food or craft vendor, contact Melissa at 852-9591, saxonm5@hotmail.com, visit DallasRotaryWineandDine.com or look for the organization on Facebook for ticket information on line or at local retailers. The planning committee held several meetings to make arrangements for this event.

Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania in partnership with Misericordia University, Generation 2 Generation, and WNEP TV will conduct its fifth annual Pauly Friedman 5K Family Walk/Run Aug. 11 at Misericordia University. Attorney Megan Kennedy, Mountain Top, is chairwoman of the event. Kennedy, an avid runner, is secretary of the FSA Board of Directors. She is executive director of First Federal Charitable Fund and has served in that position since 2004. Kennedy is also is a member of the Lower Luzerne County Bar Association and the Luzerne County Bar Association. Kennedy also serves on the Hazleton Rotary Foundation working on their Coats for Kids Program. She serves on the Penn St. Advisory Council, the Non-Profit Community Assistance Center, the Mountaintop Youth Soccer Association and the Fairview Elementary PTA. She is married to Judge Joseph Sklarosky Jr. and they have four children, Katie, Jack, Matthew and Norah. Registration for the 3.1 mile event is at 8:30 a.m. at the Anderson Sports Complex of Misericordia University. Race begins at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is suggested. First 300 registrants will receive an official event T-shirt. Walk-ups will be accepted on race day. The event is held in memory of Pauly Friedman, known to many in the community for her leadership, compassion and volunteerism. Proceeds from the event will benefit the services of Help Line, a 24/7 information and referral and after hours crisis service serving Luzerne, Wyoming, Sulllivan, Bradford and Tioga Counties. Qualified caseworkers are ready to assist in any situation. For information about the walk/run or to register, contact FSAWV at 823-5144, email fsawv.ruthkemmerer@verizon.net, or go online at fsawv.org.

The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center has established a new program, "No Veteran Dies Alone." The NVDA program is staffed through trained volunteers working alongside talented medical hospice professionals within the medical center. Companion volunteers assist in providing patients with a dignified and comforted death by talking, reading or quietly sitting with Veterans who may not otherwise have loved ones to comfort them in their final hours. Due to the sensitive nature of the program, the companions are required to complete training specific to the NVDA program, as well as medical center volunteer orientation and screening. Individuals interested in volunteering at the Wilkes-Barre VAMC are asked to contact Voluntary Service, toll free at 1-877-928-2621, ext. 7237. For information, contact Valerie Barna, LCSW, palliative care program coordinator, at 1-877-928-2621, ext. 4104.

The Building Industry Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania recently presented the Center for Cancer Wellness, Candy's Place, a check for $4,000 from the 2013 BIA Home Expo. The Expo, which was held March 1-3, featured vendors, a wine tasting event, a silent auction, and basket raffles. The proceeds from the basket raffles, silent auction, and a portion of the proceeds from the wine tasting event went to Candy's Place, a cancer wellness and resource center located in Forty Fort.

Luzerne County Council reappointed Bruce Trumbower of Hunlock Creek to the Luzerne Conservation District Board of Directors. Trumbower has served as a public director on the board since 2006. His new term will run until Dec. 31, 2016. County Council also appointed two new members to the Conservation District Board. Gary Moyer Sr. of Hollenback Township was appointed as a farm director, and Eugene Kelleher of Dallas was appointed as council's representative on the board. Moyer's term will run until Dec. 31, 2016, and Kelleher's term will run until Dec. 31, 2013. County council member directors serve one-year terms. The board of directors consists of nine members, all appointed by the county council and two associate members, appointed by the board. Magisterial District Judge James Tupper swore in the newly appointed and reappointed directors at the conservation district's Jan. 10 meeting. The board re-elected Timothy Ference of Conyngham as chairman; John Wilkes, Jr. of Jackson Township as vice-chairman; and Timothy Connolly Jr. of Kingston as secretary/treasurer of the board. The Luzerne Conservation District is a local agency with the mission of conserving land and water resources in Luzerne County by promoting public awareness, providing technical assistance, and encouraging regulatory compliance. Its mission is accomplished through cooperation with landowners and land users; by working with other public and private organizations, and by conducting education and outreach efforts on natural resource conservation. For information about the district, visit www.luzcd.org.

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania has launched the 2013 Gallery of Hope, a traveling display designed to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment in the fight against breast cancer. Two Luzerne County residents who are breast cancer survivors are among the ten honorees being recognized in this year's Gallery of Hope. Beginning this month, the 2013 Gallery is available to exhibit throughout northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.

Luzerne County honorees are Lorraine Cwalina, Swoyersville, and Kelly Valovich, Hazle Township. A routine mammogram caught Cwalina's cancer in early 2011. Her commitment to staying active throughout treatment and recovery remained strong. As a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins season ticket holder, Cwalina rarely missed a game. Now that she is cancer-free, Cwalina still participates in the Standing Strong cancer survivor exercise class at Candy's Place in Forty Fort, and continues to emphasize the importance of support for "life after cancer."

When Valovich found a lump in her breast in 2009, she almost dismissed it as nothing, but an article about breast cancer prompted her to contact her physician. A subsequent biopsy confirmed she had stage 2 breast cancer. She credits the use of social media for helping her stay positive on her road to recovery, finding hope and support by interacting with other survivors on Facebook and keeping a blog. She also joined with friends to form the NEPA Survivors Group, which organizes fundraisers for local causes. In honor of Valovich's courageous fight, the group coordinated a 60 mile motorcycle run in the summer of 2011 that raised $5,000 to benefit the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

Other honorees are:

Cindy Dalton, of Wellsboro, Tioga County, who has survived breast cancer twice and who facilitates a support group in her community.

Caroline Merino, of Taylor, Lackawanna County, a mother of five who recently competed in the Dirty Girl Mud Run.

Brenda Smellowsky, of Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, a radiologic technologist who encourages all women to be vigilant about routine screenings.

Carolyn Mosher, of Columbia Cross Roads, Bradford County, a horse lover and rider who organized a breast cancer fund raiser last year.

Paula Heller-Hahn, of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, an avid NASCAR fan who participates in local Pink Light Walks and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

Sharon Dapp, of Muncy, Lycoming County, a mother of two who has survived breast cancer twice.

Renee Fries, of Honesdale, Wayne County, who discovered she had breast cancer after her very first mammogram.

Cathy Franko, of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, a reading assistant and mother of twins who found out she had cancer on her 43rd birthday.

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania created the Gallery of Hope in 2000. The nomination process is open year-round. To nominate a breast cancer survivor, or to request the Gallery of Hope as an exhibit at your facility or event, contact Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania through the Gallery of Hope website at bcnepa.com/hope.

The Paul Harris Fellow Award, the most prestigious award of Rotary International, has been presented by the Wyoming Rotary to John Harrington, a five-year club member, of Dallas. The award consists of a pin and medallion given in appreciation of "tangible and significant assistance for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations between people of the world." The Wyoming Rotary Club, in making the award, donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. The money is used to fund international and district projects.

As part of the Cub Scout program, 'PRAY', Zarak Getz was recently honored and presented with the 'God and Me' award during a service at St. John's Lutheran Church, 231 State St., Nanticoke. The award is given to a Scout who studies scripture and designs service projects related to what he has learned. The resulting 'God and Me' award was presented to Zarak by Pastor Debra North. For information, contact the church at 735-8351.

Kingston Township Board of Supervisors recently appointed Samuel A. Barbose to the township's board to fill the unexpired term left vacant by the passing of Gary Mathers. Kingston Township Manager and Notary Public Kathleen J. Sebastian administered the oath of office to Samuel A. Barbose to complete the five (5) member board. The Kingston Township Board of Supervisors meets at 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. Work session is held at 7 p.m. Monday before the regular meeting. Both meetings are held at the Kingston Township Municipal Building, 180 E. Center St., Shavertown. Residents are welcome to sign up for the township email listing to receive the latest updates from the township. The administration office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or send an email expressing interest in receiving the newsletter to info@kingstontownship.com.

Students of Downtown Dojo Karate Academy participated in a Kick A Thon fundraiser for Toys For Tots. The event was hosted by World Karate Union at the Toys for Tots Karate Tournament Dec. 9 at Chatau Resort in Tannersville. Of all the competitors, a student of Downtown Dojo raised the largest sum of money for the kicks. Joseph Davis, son of Tim and Dianne Durkin of Plains, earned $120 for the USMC program to benefit children in need during the holiday. Downtown Dojo also won "Most Supportive School" at the tournament and at the Kick a Thon.

Hapkido Taekwondo Institute of Kingston held a promotion test recently. Promoted to 1st Degree Junior Black Belt in the North American Hapkido Taekwondo Federation was Hayden Foland and 2nd Degree Junior Black Belt was Xavier Evans. Hayden has been affiliated with the school for two years and Xavier has been training at the school for five years.

The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center held its annual creative arts competition Mach 7. The competition included more than 50 art categories ranging from oil painting to paint-by-number kits. Additionally, there were 120 artistic categories including all aspects of music, dance, drama and creative writing. Nationwide, VA medical facilities use the Creative Arts Competition as a component to their rehabilitative treatment program. In 2012, Robert Nause received the national silver medal in the art division scroll saw category and Jorge Rivas was selected to attend the National Creative Arts Festival held in Boston, Mass. Both veterans participated in the 2013 local creative arts competition and are awaiting notification from the committee. If they have earned national recognition once again, they will be invited to attend the 2013 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Reno Nevada.

Ryder, the dog, recently visited the children at the Trinity Learning Center in Dallas. Alex Harrison from the SPCA of Luzerne County brought Ryder for a visit and taught the children about the humane treatment of man's best friend. In turn, the children collected and donated food and other supplies for Harrison to take back to the shelter to help support the animals housed there. More than 80 children were invited to participate in the project which they have been doing for about 10 years.

Members of the Verizon Telecom Pioneers No. 7 organization were recognized recently by the Association for the Blind for their more than 50 years of volunteer service to the association's Talking Book Program. The organization has helped by picking up, repairing, and delivering a vast number of Talking Book machines, resulting in millions of dollars of savings in repair costs alone. In addition, their partnership with the Association for the Blind has impacted thousand of lives by allowing people with little or no sight to experience the joy of all types of printed material.

Wyoming Valley

The 64th annual Interfaith Tea will be hosted by Temple Israel Sisterhood at 1:30 p.m. May 7 at Temple Israel, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Theme is Jerusalem and a panel of local clergy will discuss their recent visit to Israel. A highlight of the program will be musical presentations by Cantor Abraham, Rabbi Kaplan and Reverend Zanicky. Members of the Church Women United of Wyoming Valley, Sisterhoods of Temple B'nai B'rith and Temple Israel, Northeast Luzerne and West Luzerne Districts of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Baha'i Community will participate in the afternoon program. Members are asked to bring lap robes which will be donated to area nursing homes.

The Luzerne Foundation will hold its annual meeting May 15 at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Reception is at 5:30 p.m. Meeting is at 6. The Mary Bevevino Community Service Award will be presented to The Sisters of Mercy, Dalla. The event is free and open to the public but reservations are required. Contact Diane Dutko at diane@luzfdn.org. The Sisters of Mercy began in Hazleton in 1874 and Wilkes-Barre in 1875. They have spent their lives teaching and ministering in hospitals and parishes. Today, in Luzerne County, the Sisters of Mercy sponsor Misericordia University in Dallas, and a number of non-traditional educational programs including McGlynn Center in Wilkes-Barre, a licensed skilled nursing and personal care facility at Mercy Center in Dallas, a shelter/housing system for homeless women and children at Catherine McAuley Center in Plymouth and Wilkes-Barre, counseling/spiritual direction services at Mercy Consultation Center in Dallas, Several free seminars are planned during the day prior to the annual meeting. This year the featured speaker at each of three sessions is Brian M. Sagrestano, JD, CFRE, president and CEO of Gift Planning Development, LLC. All sessions are free to the public, but reservations are required. Two seminars will be offered at the Woodlands Inn - 11 a.m., "The Art of Listening"; 12:45 p.m., "Planned Giving- Collaboration with Professional Advisors." Reservations must be made at afpmay13.eventbrite.com or 655-5581, ext. 237. A third seminar, "Meeting Your Clients' Personal Planning Goals" and "Charitable Family Wealth Planning Techniques," will be offered at 3 p.m. at the Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Contact the Foundation at 714-1570 for continuing education credit costs. Register by emailing Diane Dutko at diane@luzfdn.org. For information on the Luzerne Foundation, call 714-1570 or visit luzfdn.org.

"Intellectual Disabilities and Changing Demographics" will be the focus of an upcoming training session from 10 a.m. to noon May 7 at the Luzerne County West Side Annex Building, Forty Fort. The free training, sponsored by the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health & Developmental Services in concert with the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Training Council on Quality and The Advocacy Alliance Northeast PA Health Care Quality Unit, will help recognize the need for increased mental health supports for those with an intellectual disability and better understand the Direct Support Professionals role in advocacy for those with dual diagnosis resulting from changing demographics. To register, call 825-9441, (800) 816-1880 or email mhmr@mhmr.luzerne.pa.us.

The USS Independence CVA-62 24th Reunion will be held in Minneapolis / St. Paul, Mn, Sept. 4-8, Dick White of Pittston announced. All Navy, Marine, and Air Squadrons that served on the Independence and their families are welcome. For information, contact USS Independence CVA-62, 65 Pioneer Ridge Road, Canton, N.C. 28716. Call (828) 648-7379. Email ussindycva-62@hotmail.com.

Marine Corps League of White Haven will sponsor a bus trip to Washington, D.C., June 14 for the evening parade at the Marine barracks and to the National Marine Museum. Contact Carl Reinmiller at 446-8086 for information.

Wyoming Valley Woman's Club will hold a spring fashion show and luncheon at noon May 21 at Appletree Terrace, Newberry Estate, Dallas. Cost is $20. Purchase tickets by calling Eileen Davis at 824-8461. The fashion show provides a $1,000 scholarship for a local high school senior. Chairing the fashion show is Carol Carroll. Co- chairwomen are Rosemarie Panzitta and Rebecca Chacko. Joan Hudak is president of the WVWC.

The 5th annual golf tournament benefiting the 1st Lt. Jeffrey DePrimo Memorial Fund, Luzerne Foundation, will be held June 8 at Wilkes Barre Golf Club. Registration for captain and crew is at 12:30 p.m., with a shot-gun start at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $75, which includes 18 holes of golf, and riding cart, followed by dinner and various award presentations. Registration can be completed at www.deprimogolf.com. For information, call 709-0916. Early registration is encouraged to receive correct shirt size.

Enrollment for the American Cancer Society's third Cancer Prevention Study will occur at the Life at the Robert Betzler Fields, Schecter Drive, Wilkes-Barre Township, from noon to 4 p.m. June 15. Call the American Cancer Society at 562-9749, ext. 320, or email jennifer.washney@cancer.org to receive an interest form to complete to participate in Cancer Prevention Study-3, a volunteer research study. The actual enrollment in the study will take approximately 1/2 hour. It is not necessary to be a relay participant to enroll in the study. Public is encouraged to participate. Individuals 30 to 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer and are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study are encouraged to sign up. Those who choose to enroll will complete a comprehensive, confidential survey packet about their health history, provide a small blood sample (to be collected by trained phlebotomists) and provide a waist circumference measurement. Participants will periodically be sent (every three or four years) a follow-up questionnaire for the next 20 to 30 years. The total amount of time involved is about eight hours over a twenty year period. The goal of CPS3 is to determine what causes cancer and how to prevent it. For information, visit cancer.org/cps3. For information on Relay For Life, visit cancer.org.

Wilkes-Barre Pro-Life Center will conduct a fela market from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Fowler Hall, 2 Lockhart St., Wilkes-Barre. Brown bag is from 2 to 4 p.m. Public is welcome. All proceeds benefit the Pro-Life Center, which is operated by donations only. The center helps mothers in need.

Volunteer 'Road to Recovery' drivers are needed in northeastern Pennsylvania to assist patients receiving treatment for cancer. Patients from Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike, Carbon, Schuylkill and Monroe counties often relying on volunteer drivers through the Road to Recovery program offered by the American Cancer Society to get to and from treatments. The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program provides free transportation to and from medical treatment appointments for people who are in active treatment for a cancer diagnosis (currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation) who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. Volunteer drivers need to have a valid PA driver's license, a good driving record, a reliable vehicle; proof of insurance, complete a background check and driver check and attend a brief orientation program (takes less than an hour). Hours of driving are flexible and rides are typically provided from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drivers can restrict availability to only a certain day(s) of the week or 1/2 day or whatever amount of time they are able to volunteer. Volunteers can drive their own vehicle or an ACS vehicle, where available. Call 562-9749 and ask to speak to a Health Initiatives Representative or send an email at jennifer.washney@cancer.org or jill.giomboni@cancer.org.

Southwestern Energy and Wyoming County United Way will hold the Marcellus Open charity golf tournament Aug. 22 at Stone Hedge Country Club. Proceeds benefit Wyoming County United Way agencies and other local charities. For information, contact tournament directors Steve Franko at sfranko@wrightreihner.com and Justin Tyson at Justin_Tyson@swn.com.

Wyoming Valley Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. May 9 in the lower level of the Daddow-Isaacs American Legion, 730 Memorial Highway, Dallas. Speaker is Joe Kerrigan of Gettysburg. His program will cover Gettysburg and Civil War history. Public is welcome. A $3 donation is sought from non members. For information, contact John at 675-8936.

Holistic Moms Network of Wyoming Valley will present "Gardening in Small Spaces, Containers and our Community" with guest speaker Jo Robbins and Jeremy Connor from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 4 at Hoyt Library, 284 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Guest speaker is Jo Robbins and Jeremy and Beth Connor. Meetings are for members only, but newcomers are welcome to join one free meeting. All events for May will be announced at the meeting and the organization's private e-mail loop. The Holistic Moms Network is a non-profit support and resource network for parents interested in holistic health and green living. Fathers and children are invited to attend. Tax-deductible membership is $45 per year. For information, contact Nicole at 466-1347 or hmnwyomingvalley@hotmail.com or visit www.wyomingvalleypa.holisticmoms.org.

The 10th annual Treasures of the Earth gem and mineral show and sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4-5 at the Oblates of St. Joseph, 1880 Highway 315, Pittston. Vendors will be selling crystals, fossils, handcrafted jewelry, meteorites, etc. Parking is free. There will be door prizes, classes, exhibits and programs. Admission is $3 for adults. Pre-teens are admitted free. For information, call 200-5987.

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the local Make-A-Wish® chapter will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 5 at Bill's Sports Bar and Grill, 53 Brown St., Wilkes-Barre. Cost is $8 per person. Proceeds will help grant wishes for local children with life-threatening medical conditions. Last year's event raised $400. For information or to purchase tickets, call Angela Sukadelski at 328-5566. To learn more about the Make-A-Wish, call 341-9474. Make-A-Wish® Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children, aged 2 ½ to 18, with life-threatening medical conditions.

The Senior Peer Counseling Program of Community Counseling Services, Luzerne and Wyoming counties, is recruiting homebound senior citizens, 60 and older, who would like a weekly visitor to come to their homes for conversation and socialization. The SPC Program selects and trains volunteers who provide support and companionship to identified individuals who may be lonely or feel isolated, in order to enhance their quality of life. Male and female volunteers are at least 55 years of age, able to drive and devote a few hours each week relating to new people. Senior Peer Counseling Program registration for the next series of training classes is under way. There is no cost to participate in this program. Contact Rhoda Tillman, program coordinator, at 836-3118 as soon as possible to discuss opportunities as a Senior Peer Counselor or to request a weekly visitor. Relatives of homebound seniors may call for information.

Luzerne County Historical Society is planning the following activities:

The third annual classic car show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5 at the Swetland Homestead, Wyoming. Call Mark Riccetti at 823-6244, ext. 3, for pre-registration.

A book signing of "Serving Their Country, Defending the Commonwealth, Saving the Union: Stories and Images of Luzerne County Soldiers at Gettysburg" will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. May 11 at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Arena Hub, Wilkes-Barre Township.

A membership drive event for The Wyoming Monument; Through the Years, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. June 7 at T.W. Shoemaker Art Gallery, 312 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. Call Tony Brooks at 823-6244, ext. 1 for information.

The third annual county-wide summit of community historical society sponsored by the Luzerne Foundation will be held at 9 a.m. June 29 at the Bear Creek clubhouse.

The Luzerne County Historical Society is located at 49 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Call 823-6244 for information, visit luzernehistory.org or facebook.com/luzernehistory

The 64th annual Interfaith Tea will be hosted by Temple Israel Sisterhood at 1:30 p.m. May 7 at Temple Israel, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Theme is "Jerusalem." A panel of local clergy will discuss their recent visit to Israel. A highlight of the program will be musical presentations by Cantor Abraham, Rabbi Kaplan and Reverend Zanicky. Members of the Church Women United of Wyoming Valley, Sisterhoods of Temple B'nai B'rith and Temple Israel, Northeast Luzerne and West Luzerne Districts of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Baha'i Community will participate in the afternoon program. Members are asked to bring lap robes which will be donated to area nursing homes.

First Friday Group, Assumpta Council 3987, Knights of Columbus, will attend the 8 a.m. Mass at the church of St. Frances Cabrini, Carverton, on May 3. Breakfast will be at Leggio's Restaurant, Dallas. Make reservations with Chet Daniels at 696-2096.

The fifth annual BIKE: Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride for Habitat will be held at 8 a.m. May 5 at Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus. Martin was a long-time volunteer for Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity. He volunteered for many years at our work sites and on the board of directors. The ride will help raise funds to continue Habitat's mission to eliminate poverty housing. Entry fee is $35. Event will be held rain or shine. On site registration starts at 7 a.m. Late registration will be accepted until the ride start time at 8 a.m.

Child and Babysitting Safety classes will be offered by the EMS Training Institute of NEPA, 14 Marion St., Suite 101, Luzerne, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11, or 5 to 8 p.m. May 22 or May 23, both nights. Course is open to the public. Cost of the course is $50. To register or for information, visit emstraining.us or email emstinepag@gmail.com.

The 5th annual golf tournament benefiting the 1st Lt. Jeffrey DePrimo Memorial Fund, Luzerne Foundation, will be held June 8 at the Wilkes Barre Golf Club. Registration for captain and crew is at 12:30 p.m. with a shot-gun start at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Registration at deprimogolf.com. For information, call 709-0916.

The JCA, formerly known as the Jewish Community Center, 60 S. River Street, Wilkes-Barre, will sponsor an AARP Driver Safety Refresher Class from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 8 at the Rifkin Library. This class is open only to those who have taken an AARP Driver Safety course within the last three years. The entire course will take place in the classroom. Drivers who complete the course may be eligible to continue their reduction in auto insurance premiums during the next three years. Register by calling Lois at 824-4646. Fee for the class is $14 ($12 for AARP members), and a check for the total amount, payable to AARP, should be brought to the class along with a pen or pencil and current driver's license.

Maternal & Family Health Services, Inc. (MFHS) will hold its 20th annual golf tournament June 20 at Irem Country Club in Dallas. Cost is $125 per person, $500 for a foursome, with a $450 early bird discount for foursomes who register by June 1. For information, visit www.mfhs.org, or call (800) 367-6347.

British Women's Club of Wyoming Valley will meet at 6 p.m. May 6 at Gateway community room, Kingston. A Mother's Day tea will be held, hosted by Barbara Pikul and Sheila Ryder. Mary Holzman, club president, will present a report on the recent area meeting in Harrisburg. Group meets the first Monday of each month. Women of British heritage are welcome.

Penn State Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 at Keiner's Nursery, 1713 Slocum Road, Slocum Twp, Wapwallopen. For information, call 417-3262.

Pittston High School, Class of 1963, will meet at 4 p.m. May 4 at Tony's Pizzeria, City Line Plaza, Pittston. Plans for a 50th class reunion will be finalized.

Endless Mountains Model Railroad Club will meet at 6 p.m. May 18 at the club building, located in the old Cavanaugh building, Route 29 south of Dimock. New members are welcome. For information, visit emmrrc.wix.com/trains.

The May dinner meeting of the Italian American Association of Luzerne County will be held May 15 at Genetti's Hotel and Convention Center. Arrival time is 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person. Music for dancing will be by Gary Dee with dancing until 10:15. Reservation deadline is May 10. For reservations and membership information, call Judy Deice at 654-7600 or Louise Castellani 654-6454. James Deice will preside.

Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold a bus trip to the Seneca Lake wine region on June 1. Cost is $90 and includes bus, tasting fees and lunch. Bus leaves Sears at 7:30 a.m. with return trip to Wilkes-Barre at 8 p.m. For information, contact Kellie at 825-7849.

Northeast Photography Club will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in the Study Learning Center on the Penn State Worthington Scranton campus, Dunmore.

A dance-a-thon fundraiser to benefit the JCC Day Camp Scholarship Program will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, rain or shine at the center's campsite near Harveys Lake. Instructors include Jody Nogin, JCC Zumba director; Diane Butwin, Piloxing and personal trainer, Greater Pittston YMCA; Gina Boyle, Hip Hop instructor and director of Sweat in Luzerne; Michele Berley, Zumba instructor, Wilkes-Barre YMCA; Lauren Cooper, Zumba and dance instructor, Cooper Dance Studio, Wilkes-Barre. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Optium. Donation is $15. Make checks payable to the JCA. Call 824-4646 for information or to register. Transportation is available with advance registration. Tours of camp and overnight camping site will be available throughout the event by Rick Evans, JCC executive director, and Rob Frieman, camp chairman.

Reginas of King's College will hold their final meeting of the 2012-13 school year at 7 p.m. May 8 at the campus ministry building, Jackson and North Franklin Streets, Wilkes-Barre. Mass will be celebrated and a May crowning will be held.

Back Mountain

Back Mountain Harvest Assembly will hold Family Action Agents, a family event which includes interactive group experiences, family life lessons and worship times, at 6:30 p.m. May 5-6 at the assembly.

A Mother's Day buffet breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon May 12 at Kunkle Fire Co. social hall, Kunkle Road. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. For information, call 675-3334.

A Mother's Day buffet will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. May 12 at the Irem Clubhouse, 64 Ridgway Drive, Dallas. Cost is $30 for adults and $13 for children ages 4 to 10. Sales tax and gratuity are included. Reservations and pre-payment are required by May 5. Call 675-1134, ext. 100. Visit iremclubhouse.com for information.

The new goods committee of the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction is seeking donations for this year's auction. The 6th annual auction will be held July 11-14. It is the main fundraising event for the library. For information, contact Terry Eckert, new goods chairperson. Call 675-1182 or visit backmountainlibrary.org.

Dallas High School Lock-In Committee will hold a car wash and bake sale fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 at N-Mart, 108 S. Memorial Highway (Rt. 309), Trucksville. Supplies are needed, including buckets, hoses, sponges, towels and soap. The committee is seeking some fathers and students to help facilitate the car wash. To sign up or arrange drop off of items, email Betty Ann at bantom3@aol.com. Bake sale items are also needed. Volunteers are needed for wrapping and pricing and to staff the bake sale tent. To volunteer or drop off baked goods, contact Ann at badcm@epix.net or 690-3211.

The Kunkle Fire Co.'s annual chicken dinner will be held May 4 at the social hall. Serving is from 4 to 7 p.m. Take outs are available. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are available at the door, or call 675-3334.

Dallas Borough Road Department will begin weekly curbside yard waste collection beginning the week of May 13. Weekly collections will begin following the conclusion of the Dallas Borough spring cleanup May 6-11. Residents are asked not to place yard waste recycling containers curbside prior to the beginning of the collection season. The road department will collect up to the equivalent of two 25 gallon recycling containers weekly throughout the season. Residents are to have yard waste containers curbside by Monday morning for collection. Yard waste volumes exceeding the two 25 gallon container limit will not be collected. Yard waste containing or including rocks, road cinders, ashes or animal waste will not be collected. Residents are reminded not to place containers or bundled yard waste within the road right of way. There is a $25 annual permit required for residents to participate in the curbside yard waste collection program. Residents may stop in the Dallas Borough Building during normal business hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, to obtain the required permit. Property owners with a larger volume of yard waste are asked to make arrangements with a private hauler and/or to contact the Dallas Area Municipal Authority at 696-1133 for yard waste drop off site locations. Call the Dallas Borough Administrative Office at 675-1389 for information.

Dallas Borough property owners are reminded of the borough ordinance requiring the appropriate maintenance of their lawns. Grass must be cut and weeds must be removed from private property in compliance with the Dallas Borough Code requiring that owners or occupants of properties within Dallas Borough are required to cut grass and weeds growing on their property. The Dallas Borough Code Enforcement Officer will conduct routine inspections throughout the borough during the summer season. Failure to comply with the ordinance may result in enforcement action by Dallas Borough resulting in the possible assessment of fines and penalties for those properties that fail to comply with the regulations. Call 675-1389 for information.

A rummage sale will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 31, and 9 a.m. to noon June 1, organized through the deacons of the church. Public is welcome.

Sweet Valley Volunteer Fire Co. will hold a family style ham dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 11. Take outs begin at 4 p.m. Cost is $9 for adults; $5 for children 6 to 11 and free for children under 6.

The annual spring barbecue will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. May 3-4 at Trucksville United Methodist Church, 40 Knob Hill Road, Trucksville. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. Dine in service is from 5 to 7 p.m. Take outs start at 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 696-3897 for reservations or information.

A picnic supported by the Northeast Suicide Prevention Initiative, the Advocacy Alliance, the Lou Ruspi Jr. Foundation and Save A Life Lackawanna will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25 at McDade Park, Scranton. This is a free event for the community of those who have lost someone to suicide. There will be food, activities for children, a suicide awareness information table and music. For information, contact Kathy Wallace at 575-2343 or kw@theadvocacyalliance.org.

A meatloaf dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. May 18 at Alderson United Methodist Church, Pole 108, Harveys Lake. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Tickets will be available at the door. Take outs are available. Call 639-5688.

Maple Grove's annual craft show, flea market and bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11 at Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 5876 Main Road, Sweet Valley. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Call Kathy Brown at 709-0289 for information.

A chicken barbecue dinner hosted by Hunlock Creek Volunteer Fire Co. will be held from noon to 4 p.m. May 5 at the fire company, 1114 Main Road, Hunlock Creek. Cost is $8 per person. Event is eat in or take out. Call 256-3548 for information.

National Day of Prayer will be held May 2 at the Centermoreland United Methodist Church; 6 to 7 a.m. quiet prayer; 7 to 8 p.m., breakfast with devotion by pastor Nanci Lycett; 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., prayer service by Ian Hastings, lay speaker from Trucksville UMC and special music by Dave Pearn. Theme is Pray for America. For information, visit NationalDayofPrayer.com or call (800) 444-8828. RSVP for breakfast by calling 333-4226.

Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co., 329 Orange Road, (8th Street), will hold an open house from noon to 4 p.m. May 5. The social hall has undergone extensive renovations. All company officers will be on hand to answer questions about rentals, fire prevention, smoke alarm placement and other fire department related information. Free food will be available. The "Smokehouse" fire prevention tool will be available for families to experience. The smokehouse was obtained through a DCED grant and a monetary donation from the Back Mountain Policemen's Association. The trailer, which mimics the interior of a home, is filled with a nontoxic smoke and families are instructed on their best route of escape. Fire safety tips and handouts will be available, along with free gifts. Call the fire hall at 333-4124 or assistant chief Maureen Oremus at 592-4548 for information.

Kingston Township Board of Supervisors is seeking letters of interest for a vacancy on the Kingston Township Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees. The meetings are held quarterly at 9:30 a.m. the Kingston Township Administration Office, 180 E. Center St., Shavertown, This appointed position is non paying. Township residents with knowledge of pension funds and finance interested in this position should send a letter of interest to the Kingston Township Board of Supervisors, c/o township manager Kathleen Sebastian, 180 E. Center St., Shavertown, PA 18708. For information, call the administration office during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 696-3809.

Mountain Grange 567, Carverton, is hosting a monthly flea market on the second Saturday of every month at Mountain Grange Hall, 1632 W. Eighth St., Carverton. Next flea market is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11. Food and baked goods are also available for purchase. Public is welcome.

St. Frances Cabrini Church, 585 Mt. Olivet Road, Carverton, will celebrate a Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. May 27. Mass is in honor and memory of all the deceased loved ones who are laid to rest at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. The Rev. Vincent Dang will be the celebrant for this special mass. All are welcome to attend.

Daddow-Isaacs Dallas American Legion Post 672 will hold its annual golf tournament on June 8 at Stone Hedge Golf Course in Tunkhannock. Donation is $80. Money raised supports the scholarship fund which provides scholarships to Back Mountain residents who attend a two year college. Applications can be picked up at the post home or from committee members. For information, contact Jim Baloga, golf chairman, at 690-0756, or Clarence J. Michael at 675-0488.

The Irregulars of the Back Mountain will host Stephanie Jallen, 17, Harding, as a presenter at the Irregulars Think Tank Breakfast to be held in the Natona Room at Twin Stacks Center on Saturday, May 11. Jallen is an athlete on the U.S. Paralympics Alpine Skiing National Teams. She is ranked top-10 in the world in two of the five Alpine Skiing disciplines, and is slated to compete in the U.S. Paralympics in Sochi, Russia in 2014. She is a member of the Junior class at Wyoming Area High School. The Natona Room at Twin Stack Center, Hwy 415, Dallas, is the new home for The Irregulars Think Tank Breakfast. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is at 9. Reservations are required. For information, contact Cholly Hayes, facilitator, at 760-1213, Bobby Zampetti at 690-2323, or email the theirregulars@frontier.com. For information on Stephanie Jallen, visit stephaniejallen.org or call attorney James M. Walsh, 878-3333.

Hunlock Creek Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor an all you can eat Mother's Day breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon May 12 at the fire hall. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 5-11, and free for those 4 and younger. To volunteer, new members are invited to join the auxiliary, which meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the fire hall. For information, call Sue at 542-2343.

Hanover area

St. Leo's/Holy Rosary Church, 33 Manhattan St., Ashley, announced the Knights of Columbus 12089 will hold its annual breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon May 5. Cost is $6. Tickets are available at the door. Kerry Dancers will sponsor a bake sale May 11-12 at the church hall.

Hanover Township Fire Department is preparing for its annual fund drive in May. The township formed the Hanover Area Fire District in 2011, comprised of all six fire companies in Hanover. The department purchased the former Square H Lumber property to build a central fire headquarters. The first consolidated fund drive was a success and the fire company raised enough money to make the first payment of five. The company reports the land will be paid off by 2016. The fire district acquired two vehicles from Pa. Forestry - a utility brush truck and five ton brush tanker. This year, the department received a $1 million gaming grant to be applied toward the construction of the new fire headquarters on the Sans Souci Parkway. The company needs to make up the balance of the $2.8 million project. The new station will include six bays for emergency vehicles, a training room, meeting room, kitchen, emergency communication room, offices, restrooms, shower area and sleeping area. The fire company said it will continue to apply for grants as they become available, but needs the community's help to make its annual fund drive a success. Letters will be sent to all residents and businesses in Hanover Township in early May.

Ashley Presbyterian Church will hold its annual spring bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 at the church, 32 N. Main St. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Take outs will be available. Baskets of chance will be featured. Chances are available up to the time of the drawing that day.

Mountain Top area

Vendors are wanted for the fifth annual flea market sponsored by Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) Mountain Post 781 from 7 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Cost is $10 under cover with a table or $5 in yard, bring your own table. Registration is available by calling 474-2161. Public is welcome.

Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) Mountain Post 781 will hold its annual flea market and roast chicken dinner from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 5 at the post, Church Road, Mountain Top. More than 30 vendors will participate. Cost is $8. Chicken dinner will be served from noon to 5 p.m. More than 30 vendors will be featured. Dinner cost is $8. For information, visit alpost781.org/SAL.html or call 474-2161.

Kiwanis Club of Mountain Top will hold an all you can eat breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 5 at the Crestwood High School cafeteria. Cost of admission is $7. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at the door.

Deadline for Crestwood High School graduating seniors to apply for the Ann E. Thomas Memorial Award is Friday, May 10. Applications may be found at the guidance office or on the Nuangola Library Facebook page. Look for the Ann E. Thomas Student Award section and click See More to find the application. Applications may be downloaded and mailed per instructions, or may be emailed, with the essay, to nuangolalibrary@gmail.com. A cash award will be decided by the board of directors and be given on the Crestwood Senior Awards Night. In other library news, the Summer Book Club will reopen June 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. New members are welcome.

A rummage sale hosted by the Dorrance Township Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. May 17 and 8 a.m. to noon May 18. Those who have items to donate may drop off donations from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 at the Dorrance firehall. Event will be held indoors, rain or shine. Call 868-6691 for information.

The annual spring rummage sale of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 316 S. Mountain Blvd., Route 309, Mountain Top, will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m. May 4. Call 474-6616 for information.

The Mountain Post American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 781, will hold its Mother's Day turkey dinner from 4 to 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the post home. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12 and free for children under 6. The meal will be an "all you can eat" buffet style with take outs available. General and handicapped accessible parking is available in the rear of the Legion. For information, call Marie at 474-5370 or Casey at 885-2519.

The 11th annual 24-hour Relay for Life will be held May 18 at Crestwood High School Athletic Field. Opening ceremony is at 10 a.m. Luminary ceremony is at dusk. For information, contact Sandy at 868-3681 or Pat at 678-7362.

St. Martin in the Fields will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to noon May 11 to benefit the church, Nuangola and Church Roads, Mountain Top.

Hobbie Volunteer Fire Co. will hold a country breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon May 5 at the fire company hall, 655 E. County Road. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are available at the door.

Dorrance Township American Legion Post 288 will meet at 7 p.m. May 20 at Slocum Township V.F.W. Post 7918, 6592 Nuangola Rd., Mountain Top. Plans for Memorial Day services will be finalized at the meeting. For information, contact Bob at 474-5721.

A support group for anxiety, stress and depression will be offered at 6:30 p.m. May 28 at St Paul's Lutheran Church, 316 South Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top. For information, email supportgroupmt@aol.com.

"Joe Stanky & the Cadets" will perform at the 400 Club, 1211 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke, from 7 to 11 p.m. May 11. Proceeds from this dance benefit children's parties throughout the year. Event is open to the public. For information, call 735-1659.

Nanticoke Ladies Auxiliary Unit 350 will meet and nominate officers for 2013-14 at 6:30 p.m. May 7 at the post home. Loretta Chmura will preside. Any members interested in seeking office are welcome to attend. Plans will be finalized for the auxiliary sponsored bingo and pizza party for veterans May 12 at the Wilkes-Barre V.A. Nursing Home.

The monthly bingo of St. Faustina Kowalska Parish will be held May 5 at St. Mary's Hall, 1030 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Early birds are at 1:45 p.m. Regular games are at 2 p.m. Door prizes, cash prizes and refreshments will be available. Public is welcome. Facility is non smoking. Parking and entrance is at the rear of the building.

"Friends for Christ", a praise band with singers, will present a concert at 7 p.m. May 19 at Nebo Baptist Church, 75 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke. "Friends for Christ" features the musical talents of Wendy Smith, Megan Golobek, Dan Pekar, Bob Teufel, Bruce Evans, Jeff Teufel, Norm Knoll, Barb Hall and Jessica Golobek. Admission is free. Dessert hour will follow the concert. For information, call the church at 735-3932.

St. Faustina Parish Padre Pio Prayer Group will meet after the 6 p.m. Mass May 15, the third Wednesday of May, at Mass on May 15, the third Wednesday of May, at St. Faustina Parish Main Site, South Hanover Street, Nanticoke.

Nanticoke youth soccer will hold fall signups from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at Lower Broadway Soccer Field; 1 to 4 p.m. May 5 at Front Street soccer field, Hanover section of Nanticoke, and 6 to 8 p.m. May 8 at Lower Broadway soccer field. Check Facebook for more dates and times at gnaysa on Facebook.

Northwest area

An all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet sponsored by the Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 5 at the Polish Falcons. Cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children 5 to 12. Children under 5 are admitted free. Takeouts are available. Tickets are available at the door or see any firefighter for tickets.

"A Night in Italy" spaghetti dinner theater will be held May 17 at Town Hill United Methodist Church, Shickshinny. Dinner will be served from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Entertainment will follow. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. See Dan Barretts or the church office.

Pittston area

Lower Lackawanna Valley Sanitary Authority has 14 combined sewer overflows located at various locations on its interceptor system. These CSO structures are designed to discharge untreated wastewater into receiving waterways during heavy rainfall periods. In February 2013, the total number of discharges from these structures was three. The total number of gallons discharged from CSOs was 72,186. The total number of inspections to CSOs was 73. The total flow treated by the LLVSA for February 2013 was 85.4 million gallons, an average of 3.0 million gallons per day. The authority also disposed of 440 wet tons of bio solids for the month. The LLVSA submits a monthly CSO report to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as part of its discharge monitoring report.

The annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Pittston has an interactive Web site that highlights specific information about the event and cancer-related topics. Relay online is also a way to accept team registrations and collect credit card donations. This year's American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Greater Pittston is at 4 p.m. May 18 at Pittston Area High School. Visit relayforlife.org/pagreaterpittston for information, call (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Avoca Neighborhood Crime Watch met recently. Jeff Pisanchyn, Avoca building inspector, spoke on the rules of apartment inspections and how they are applied, Chief of police David Homschek reported police responded to 92 police calls for the month. The Avoca organization is now incorporated and is formally a nonprofit. Abandoned properties were also discussed. The Avoca Crime Watch has ordered a "welcoming" sign for the community to be placed at the south end of Main street. Donations for the sign are welcome. For information, contact Jim at 457-8446, Ned at 457-6109 or Gene at 457-0776.

Dupont VFW Post 4909 will meet at 7:30 p.m. May 6 at the post home. The Memorial Day parade and other matters will be discussed. Commander Gary Carwardine will preside. Home association meeting will follow.

"Keeping the Oldies Alive," featuring the music of "Remember When," will be held at the Dupont Hose Co. banquet hall, 308 Main St., Dupont, on May 25. Doors open at 6 p.m., buffet dinner will be served at 7, music will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Cost is $27.50 per person. Call Bill, 457-7665, Gary at 654-4222 for tickets. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Dupont VFW Post 4909 will meet at 7:30 a.m. May 6 at the post home. Many topics, including the Memorial Day parade, will be discussed and reports will be given. Gary Carwardine will preside. The home association meeting will follow. Food and refreshments will be served.

Pittston Senior Center lists the following events:

A summer golf league is forming. League will golf Tuesdays until August at Four Seasons Golf Course, Exeter. Cost each week is $17, which includes 9 holes of golf, a golf cart and luncheon at the end of the season. For information, call Connie at 655-5561.

The annual dinner dance will be held at Genetti's, Wilkes-Barre. Tickets are on sale now and are $21 for those over 60 and $23 for those under 60. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Dinner is at 1:15. A dance contest will be held for swing, tango and line dancing. Pre-registration is necessary. Music will be by King Henry and the Showmen from 2 to 5 p.m. A bus is available from the center for an additional cost of $3 for those who do not wish to drive to Wilkes-Barre.

Reservations are open for a day trip to Woodlock Pines July 28. Call Connie or Hazel at 655-5561.

Line dancing classes are held with Sue at 10 a.m. Mondays. There is no charge for these classes for center members.

Avoca Lions Club will conduct a food bank at the Bethel United Methodist Church from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 2. Volunteers are needed at 1:30 p.m. to unload the truck. Volunteers are encouraged to bring boxes.

Avoca Borough lists the following reminders:

Council will meet May 9 immediately following the 6:30 p.m. work session at the municipal building, 752 Main St. Joseph Satkowski will preside.

Yard waste collection began April 2. Yard waste will be collected the first and third Tuesday of each month. The following separated items will be collected - grass clippings and leaves, which may be in the same container; yard waste including shrubs, hedge clippings and tree limbs not exceeding three feet in length and 1/2 inch in diameter. Rocks, stones, dirt and animal waste are not acceptable forms of yard waste. A maximum of three open containers not to exceed 30 pounds will be allowed per collect. Do not use plastic bags, or yard waste will be refused. Place containers curbside by 8 a.m. Recycling center will not accept grass and leaves that are combined with yard waste.

Moosic recycling truck is at the municipal garage, Plane Street, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays. The new system allows paper to be mixed with cardboard. Residents are urged to follow the signs on the recycling truck. The area will be monitored, and violators can be fined or banned from future recycling privileges. Recycling flyers are available in the lobby of the Avoca municipal building and at the recycling trailer. Ashes are collected every Wednesday. Place ashes curbside by 8 a.m.

Residents are reminded that under the state's new recycling law, Waste Management will no longer collect televisions and computer equipment, including monitors, printers and computer peripheral devices and components. Copies of this information are available at the front entrance of the municipal building, 752 Main St., Avoca.

Avoca borough reminds residents the 2013 garbage stickers are being sold at the borough building from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Cost is $185 until May 20 and $195 until June 20. After June 20, all delinquent homeowners will be forwarded to the magistrate. If paying by mail, enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope with a check payable to AVoca Borough to Therese Wrubel, 129 Factory St., Avoca. Call 457-4891 for information. County/borough taxes are now in face value, which ends June 1.

Pittston City Treasurer Kathy Cunard announced the 2013-14 Pittston City trash bills are being mailed out the week of April 29, at which time residents may pay their refuse bill and receive their new stickers. The trash bill is due by May 31, within 30 days of the issue date of the bill. The new, grey stickers must be used effective June 3. The stickers are effective from April to April of the following year. Residents must choose one of three options for payment: 60 stickers (for residents who put out one bag of garbage per week), $115; 120 stickers (for residents who put out two bags of garbage per week) $165; 180 stickers (for residents who put out three bags of garbage per week) $200. A late fee of $20 will be assessed after July 15. Residents are encouraged to consider the number of bags to be put out each week before purchasing stickers. Should residents run out of stickers prior to the end of the period, stickers can be purchased in the tax office for $2 each, with a minimum purchase of $12 stickers for $24. Stickers are not sold at any other location. If mailing payment, include both sides of the bill and $3.50 for postage and handling. If stickers are to be sent to an address other than a resident's mailing address, they should specify the appropriate mailing address. Residents who do not receive a refuse bill in the mail should notify the administrative offices at 654-1090. The city is not responsible for bills lost in the mail.

Lower Lackawanna Valley Sanitary Authority first quarter delinquent bills have been mailed. Any customer bill not paid will be subject to a five percent late charge on any unpaid balances. Any owner who is more than two quarters behind on their LLVSA bill will be placed on the water shutoff program and or a lien may be placed on the property. The American Water Co. has informed the LLVSA they will charge a $30 fee for the water service to be terminated and a $30 fee to restore the service. LLVSA sewer accounts will be charged the $60 fee charged to the LLVSA by American Water Co. The LLVSA rules and regulations require bills to be mailed to the owner of the property and not the tenant. Any agreement between the owner and tenant does not pertain to the authority. The homeowner is solely responsible for the bill at the LLVSA. The LLVSA payment can also be made at the Medicine Shoppe, Old Forge; Llewellyns, Avoca, and the Hub, Dupont. Senior citizen discounts cannot be applied at these locations. Senior citizens are reminded proof of age, photo ID or driver's license, is required with the first quarter bill payment they submit either through the mail or at the office, Coxton Road, Duryea. Those 62 and older and owning and residing in the home with accounts paid in full to date qualify for a 10 percent discount on their sewer bill. Business and tenant occupied units doe not qualify for the senior citizens' discount. The LLVSA is now accepting over the telephone payments with MasterCard and Visa credit card/debit cards only. Call the LLVSA business office at 655-1665 to make a payment. Any customer using their on line banking system must verify the correct LLVSA account number is on the check and that one check per payment is issued for every individual account. Some banks only provide one account number on the check and do not provide LLVSA with the address to match the account number for verification. This will prevent the wrong LLVSA account from being incorrectly applied. Customers who fill out vacancies are reminded in order to receive credit for the current charge of $70 per unit, the required proof must be submitted to the Lower Lackawanna Valley Sanitary Authority. This must be done on a quarterly basis. The following is the quarterly billing: first quarter - January, February, March electric bills or letter from the electric company with the date of shutoff, along with completed affidavit; second quarter - April, May, June electric bills or letter from the electric company with the date of shut off along with completed affidavit; third quarter - July, August, September electric bills or letter from the electric company with date of shutoff, along with completed affidavit; fourth quarter - October, November, December electric bills or letter from the electric company with date of shutoff, along with completed affidavit. The LLVSA acknowledges the last electric bill of each quarter may not be received until after the due date. Disregard the late bill and await the third electric bill. This will allow the LLVSA to apply the full credit at one time and prevent any confusion. Business office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Monday to Friday, closed Saturdays and Sundays. For information, call the LLVSA at 655-1665.

Duryea Ambulance has discontinued service and Avoca Ambulance will be providing continuous coverage to Duryea residents. The Avoca Ambulance has had a regional cooperative agreement with the Duryea Ambulance Association for the past 10 years. In order to provide reliable coverage to the boroughs of Avoca, Dupont and Duryea, the Avoca Ambulance Association has implemented a plan to have paid crew members on duty available to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Volunteers will continue to assist when needed and are very active. The Avoca Ambulance Association will begin its annual membership subscription campaign for 2013. The Avoca Ambulance has honored Duryea memberships that are in effect until May. However, Duryea residents will now have to belong to the Avoca Ambulance Association. Membership information will be sent to all Duryea residents who wish to have ambulance service. The cost of the membership is $30 per household. The Avoca Ambulance subscription membership program was developed to maintain financial stability and offer protection to residents from out-of-pocket expenses. In the event a subscriber or family member requires emergency ambulance assistance, a paid membership assures individuals they will not be billed for any out-of-pocket expenses, including insurance deductibles, co-payments and denials. Payment received from the insurance company will be considered payment in full. Without membership protection, if ambulance service is required, individuals will be billed the entire amount, which in most cases can exceed hundreds of dollars. If any Duryea resident does not receive their membership subscription service by May 1, contact Colleen Velehoski at 457-3605 or Elaine Blazosek at 457-1955 of the Avoca Ambulance Association.

St. John the Evangelist Parish of Pittston Altar and Rosary Society will meet at 1 p.m. May 6. Refreshments will be served.

Dupont VFW Post 4909 will meet at 7:30 p.m. May 6 at the post home. The Memorial Day parade and other items of importance will be discussed. Gary Carwardine will preside. Home association meeting will follow.

Pittston Library lists the following activities:

A "Complete the Story" contest for children grades 1-5 will be held in observance of Children's Book Week. Children may obtain a story starter at the library. Submission deadline is May 6. Prizes will be awarded during book week for the winning submissions.

Summer Reading for KIDS will begin with registration week June 17, Events are free to children of the community from those entering first grade to sixth grade. Volunteers grade 6 and up are needed to help with book logs. An informational meeting will be held at 4 p.m. June 4.

CEO will make after school meals available to children and young adults up to age 21 at the library. Dinners will be served from 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Snacks will be served from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Meals and snacks are free and no registration is required.

Story time sessions are ongoing. Toddler story time is at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Preschool story time is at 2 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday. Registration is required. Family story time is at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays for all ages. No registration is required. Call the library at 654-9565 or email pittstonlibrary@yahoo.com.

Grandparents raising grandchildren are encouraged to stop by the library and complete a questionnaire to help the library organize a program geared to their needs.

Lego Club will meet at 4 p.m. the second Monday of each month. New members are welcome. Registration is not required.

Crochet club will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and 6 p.m. Thursdays. New members are welcome.

Kids with Adults Craft Club for children 5 to 12 meets at 6 p.m. the third Monday of each month.

Kids Science Club meets the first Saturday of the month for children grades 2-5.

Kids Book Club, Page Turners, is open to children in the 3rd to 5th grade. Book club meets at 4 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.

Furry Tails, a program in which children read to specially trained dogs, is offered at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month.

TAG, the teen advisory group, meets at 6 p.m. May 9 at the library.

May Game Mayhem will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 16. Teens 6 to 12th grade are welcome.

Hangout Club, the teen book club, will meet at 6 p.m. May 30.

For information, visit the library's Facebook page or call 654-9565. Library is located at 47 Broad St., Pittston. Follow the library on Twitter @pittstonmemlib.

St. Joseph Marello Parish, 237 William St., Pittston, will hold its 19th annual golf tournament June 9. Sponsorships are available and donors are welcome. For information, contact the parish.

Prince of Peace Parish Society, Old Forge, will hold a pasta and meatball dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 19 at Felittese grounds, Third Street, Old Forge. Event is take out, drive through only. Cost is $9 per person. Tickets are available at the site, or call the rectory at 457-5900.

Pittston Knights of Columbus, 55 S. Main St., will sponsor a benefit for the Pittston Library featuring the sounds of Danny Argo and Friends from 7 to 10 p.m. May 10. Donation is $5 at the door. Food and beverages will be available.

An informational meeting to discuss the formation of a Crime Watch in Jenkins Township will be held at 7 p.m. May 7 at the Jenkins Township Municipal Building. Anyone interested in participating is asked to attend.

American Legion Auxiliary Post 477 will meet at 5:30 p.m. May 4 at 203 Vine St., Pittston. Nomination of officers will be held. All members are invited to attend.

West Side

Luzerne Borough Charles Street Park Fundraiser update: Applications for engraved bricks to be placed in the Charles Street park are available by calling or stopping in the Luzerne Borough Building, 144 Academy St. Bricks will be engraved with a personal message and placed in a designated area of the park in late spring or early summer. A 4X8 inch brick with three lines of inscription consisting of 14 characters per line s $25. An 8X8 inch brick with six lines of inscription consisting of 14 characters per line is $40. Call 287-7633, ext. 4 for information.

Mommy and Me Playtime is offered for children walking to age 4 and their mother, father, grandparent or other caregiver from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Kingston Recreation Center, 655 Third Ave., Kingston. Cost is $4 per child per session. No day cares are accepted. For information, call Cindy at 779-5613 or Greg at 287-1106.

Kingston Parks and Recreation Department will host Kamp and Klub Kingston, with organized games, activities, movies, arts and crafts and guest speakers, at the Kingston Recreation Center on weekdays June 24 to Aug. 16. Kamp is for children 5 to 8. Klub is for children 9-13. Sessions are half day, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., or full day session, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information and cost, call 287-1106.

Kiwanis Club of Swoyersville is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The scholarships are judged by students' participation in academics, community service and extracurricular activities. Applicants must be high school seniors who plan to further their educations and must reside in Swoyersville, Forty Fort or Luzerne. Applications are available by contact Kathy Breznay at 283-1677.

Larksville residents are reminded code enforcement has noted there are still occupied residents which have not purchased a garbage sticker. Owners of occupied rental property are responsible to purchase a sticker. Citations are being issued and fines and costs will be levied if residents are found guilty at the magistrate. Yard waste will be picked up by Mascaro every Tuesday May through November. Waste must be in recyclable paper bags. Coal ashes will be picked up by the borough the third Friday of every month from May 1 through Sept. 30. Problems with trash pickup should be addressed to Mascaro at (800) 243-7575. Rental registration fee of $25 per unit is now overdue and citations are being issued. All adult occupants of rental units are to be registered by April 1 of each year. Anyone requiring the use of construction dumpsters are required to fill out an application and obtain a permit to place dumpster on the street or right of way. Also, owners of dumpster businesses require a license to operate in the borough. No permit is required if the dumpster is placed on private property. Every property owner and occupant of rental property is required to maintain the property in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.

Forty Fort United Methodist Church, Wyoming and Yeager Avenues, will hold a ham dinner May 4. Take outs are from 4 to 7 p.m. Dine in service is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 5. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling the church office at 287-3840.

A rummage sale will be hosted by Good Shepherd Polish National Catholic Church, 269 E. Main St. ,Plymouth, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9-10 and 9 a.m. to noon May 11, bag day.

Edwardsville DPW reminds residents yard waste will be picked up on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Open containers cannot exceed 30 pounds. Plastic bags, dirt, and rocks will not be accepted. Brush must be tied in four foot sections. For information, call the DPW at 288-7362.

Ed-Lark Hurricanes Mini Football and Cheerleaders are holding spaghetti dinner and drag queen and king beauty pageant on the following dates at the Larksville Fire Hall, State Street. Purchase tickets in advance at Robs Pub & Grub or the Larksville Borough Building. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children in advance, or $10 for adults and $5 for children at the door. Dates are 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 and May 16. All proceed benefit the football league.

Luzerne Borough yard waste collection is under way. Residents are reminded the yard waste program is only for residents who have a current garbage sticker. Small amounts of yard waste will be collected by the street department every other Monday after April 29. Residents may dispose of brush and yard waste. Yard waste does not include grass clippings, dirt and rocks. Place yard waste in an open container. No green trash bags will be accepted. Brush must be tied in bundles no longer than three feet in length and open containers are not to exceed 30 pounds. Place yard waste curbside by 6 a.m. For information, call the borough building at 287-7633.

Church of Christ Uniting Women's Fellowship is sponsoring its annual Mother/Children Dinner at 6 p.m. May 7. Entertainment will be provided by Juggler Robert Smith. Reservations can be made by calling the church office at 288-8434. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children 3-12.

The annual book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Hoyt Library will be held June 6-8 in the community room of the library, 284 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Hours are 2 p.m. June 6; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8. Bag day is June 8. Book collection from the general public will begin May 1. Books may be brought to the library. No textbooks, magazines, encyclopedias, condensed books or newspaper will be accepted, and books should be in very good condition.

Courtdale United Methodist Women will hold a rummage and bake sale at the church, 225 Courtdale Ave., from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 9-10, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 11. Saturday is bag day.

Larksville United Methodist Church will hold a chicken barbecue at 4 p.m. May 4. Event is take out only. For tickets, call 287-5805.

Swoyersville Borough residents are reminded the borough has an ordinance requiring pet owners to clean up after their dogs. Violators can be fined. Residents are also advised not to blow grass into the streets while cutting their lawns. Grass can clog storm basins and cause problems during heavy rain.

Kiwanis Club of Swoyersville will hold a breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon June 9 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Hughes Street, Swoyersville. Tickets are available from any member, at the door or by calling Kathy at 283-1677. The Kiwanis Club is a service organization dedicated to helping the public with road cleanup, youth sports sponsorships and reading in the park.

A grocery coupon workshop presented by Karan Zoeller, author of SavingByDesign.com and a Savings.com DealPro, will be offered from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. May 20 at the Hoyt Library, 284 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Register at savingbydesign.com/savings-nation. For information, call the Hoyt Library at 287-2013, ext. 239 or email questions to couponclasses@savingbydesign.com. Event is free to the public.

Vendors are wanted for a craft fair and flea market hosted by the Swoyersville Little League from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 at Hemlock Street, Swoyersville. Cost is $15 for a 10- by 16-foot or 12- by 14-foot area. For information, contact Dave at 899-3750 or Lori at 709-9698.

The music ministry of Holy Family Parish will present a spring concert at 7 p.m. May 19 at the church, 574 Bennett St., Luzerne. This annual Pentecost Sunday concert will feature several soloists and the Holy Family Parish adult choir under the direction of Linda McClosky Houck. The choir will be accompanied by an instrumental ensemble in this program of religious music celebrating the conclusion of the Easter season. Admission is free. Light refreshments will follow in the social hall of the church. The Rev. Michael Zipay, pastor of Holy Family Parish, invites the public to attend.

Swoyersville Little League is hosting a craft fair and flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 2 at Hemlock Street, Swoyersville. Vendors are welcome. Cost is $15 for a 10-by 16-foot or 12- by 14-foot area. For information or to reserve a spot, call Dave at 899-3750 or Lori, 709-9698.

Larksville American Legion Post 655 will accept nominations of officers at the monthly meeting May 14.

Wilkes-Barre area

Wilkes-Barre Taxpayers and the Northeast Taxpayer Cyber collation will meet at 7 p.m. May 7 at St. Andrew's Church, 316 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre. Topics include the upcoming election, planting trees in the city parks and cleaning up the city cemetery. Northeast Taxpayers will discuss an update on property school tax elimination. Petitions to eliminate school property tax will be available to sign.

Wilkes-Barre Fire Department Athletic Association will hold its 24th annual Charity Golf Tournament at 1 p.m. May 19 at the Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Course, 1001 Fairway Drive, Bear Creek Township. Cost is $80 per golfer. Format is captain and crew. Special prizes include closest to the pin and longest drive for both men and women. For information or to register, contact tournament chairman Shawn Williams at 885-3026.

Italian Independent Cemetery will meet at 6 p.m. May 5 at Fox Hill Fire House, 50 Second St., Plains. All members are invited.

Board of Trustees of Central United Methodist Church, 65 Academy St., Wilkes-Barre, will sponsor a chicken barbecue dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. May 11. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. To reserve tickets, call the church office at 822-7246. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.

G.A.R. Football Booster Club will present a Wise Cracker comedy fundraiser at 8 p.m. May 18 at Wise Cracker Comedy Club, 15 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre. Doors open at 7 p.m. Event will feature three comedians. Tickets are $15 per person. Call Michelle at 793-4428 by May 5 for information.

RAINBOW SENIORS OF WILKES-BARRE met recently at Albright United Methodist Church. Angelo Ricci presided. Door prizes won by Jean Langley and Doris Harring. The club will celebrate its 25th anniversary at 4 p.m. May 21 at Old Country Buffet.

Washington Square Residents Club will hold its annual rummage sale from noon to 6 p.m. May 2 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3, which is bag day, at Washington Square Apartments, 163 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. A bake sale will be held.

The Women of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, will hold its annual spring rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2, bag day. Rummage will be accepted until April 29. A mini boutique will run concurrently. Margaret Pastula is chairwoman, assisted by Pat Jones, Jane Krouse and Eunice Bebb. A light lunch and baked goods will be available. Jennie Vitale is chairwoman, assisted by Mary Pugh and Sharon Whittaker.

The volunteers of the Bear Creek-Buck Township Volunteer Ambulance Association began their community-wide ambulance membership drive recently by mailing requests for membership donations to all Bear Creek, Buck Township and Penn Lake Park Borough residents and businesses. The ambulance crew members encourage the community to support the organizations. Memberships finance the operating costs of the ambulance throughout the year.

Firwood Senior Citizens Club will meet at 1 p.m. May 2 at the meeting room of Firwood United Methodist Church, Old River Road and Dagobert Street. Refreshments will be served, followed by the business meeting which will be conducted by Tom Wahl, president. Kay Jones, program chairman, announced that Rose Cichy, representing the Osterhout Free Library will give a presentation on the programs available and provided by the library. This program was replaced at the April meeting by a presentation on Alaska, given by David Cannon, a fish biologist. Maureen, trip coordinator, announced the following trips: May 9, Dutch Apple Theater; June 27, Hershey Hotel and Hollywood Casino; July 24, Ehrhardt's Resort, Lake Wallenpaupack. Membership is not necessary to participate in any of the trips. Call Maureen at 824-6538 for information.

Women's Society of SS. Peter and Paul Church, Hudson Road, Plains, will hold a covered dish dinner in observance of Mother's Day on May 13 at the parish center following the regular meeting. All members are invited to attend. New members are welcome. For information, contact Joan Pisack. The group will resume reciting the rosary prior to the 8:30 a.m. Mass on the third Sunday of the month. Plans for the annual retreat will be discussed. The Rev. Joseph Gryskiewicz is pastor and moderator of the society.

SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, North River and West Chestnut Streets, Wilkes-Barre, will hold a rummage, homemade food and bake sale from 2 to 7 p.m. May 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Food and baked goods will also be available.

The board of directors of the City of Wilkes-Barre Industrial Development Authority and the Wilkes-Barre Economic Development Corporation will be held at 5 p.m. May 2 in the offices of the authority, Suite 1203, 67-69 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.

Laflin Borough will be conducting street sweeping services starting Wednesday, May 1. Borough residents are asked to remove vehicles from the roads Wednesday through Friday of this week to allow for proper cleaning.

Parsons Primitive Methodist Church lists the following activities:

"Water Game" Day will be from noon to 2:30 p.m. July 21. Lunch will follow at the church. There will be a dunk tank, water balloons and more. Participants should bring a swim suit and towels. Parents are encouraged to stay.

Vacation Bible School is 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 2 and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 3. Wrap up party is noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4.

Back to School party will be noon to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 18. Lunch will follow at the church.

Wyoming area

Wyoming Free Library lists the following events:

The Friends of the Wyoming Free Library will hold a flea market/craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18 at Flack Field, Wyoming. Cost for a 12-by10-ft. or 9-by 18-ft. space is $25. All checks should be made payable to "Friends of the Wyoming Free Library". Registration forms are available at the library. Deadline to register is May 1. Food vendors are welcome. Price will be determined by the size of the vehicle and use of electricity. Email friendsofthewyomingfreelibrary@verizon.net for information.

Zumba with Ryan Aregood, certified Zumba instructor, will be offered from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 4 at the Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave. Call 693-1364 to register.

A book discussion will be held at 1 p.m. May 4 at the Wyoming Free Library. Call the library at 693-1364 to register.

Dymond Hollow United Methodist Church will hold a hoagie sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3. Varieties are Italian, ham and cheese and turkey and cheese. Order with Alice Green, 333-4276, or Shirley Pearn, 333-4529 by April 28. Cost is $5 per hoagie. Orders can be picked up May 3.

Exeter Borough Hose Co. 1 will hold a Mother's Day breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon May 12 at the hose company, 1405 Susquehanna Ave. Tickets will be sold at the door. For information, call 602-0739.

Wyoming, West Wyoming Seniors will celebrate their 37th anniversary with a Mass at 4:30 p.m. May 7 for departed members at St. Monica Parish. The Rev. Leo McKernan is the celebrant, Joann Kwasney is the altar server. Paul Delaney is the reader, and Nina Rose Lewko is the organist. Gift carriers are Sam DeSalvo and Charlotte Piezala. Dinner will follow after the Mass with Ann Voitek catering the affair. The committee, consisting of Paul Delaney, Vicky Mecklavage and Theresa Kennedy prepared for the affair. The 50-50 winners from the last meeting are Charmaine Potenza, Angie Mastruzzo, Donna Pocceschi and Paul Delaney. Bingo jackpot winner was Paul Delaney. The annual picnic will be held July 16 at Daley Park, Shoemaker Avenue, West Wyoming. New members and guests are welcome. Residency is not a requirement. For information, call Angie Mastruzzo at 693-1104, membership chairwoman, or George C. Yurek, publicity chairman at 693-1913.

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